Coming home from an errand this morning, I spotted a black dog next to the road. Doubling back, I hit my hazards and got out of the car. There was the saddest dirty, scrawny chow mix I may have ever seen. My vet-tech training began to surface automatically even though it has been years since practicing. Calling Craig at work he gave the the go-head to take him to the emergency hospital if I could somehow get him. My amazing husband said, "we will work out something to pay for it...a payment plan."
To my surprise, when I whistled, he came toward me and I assessed he had experienced a traumatic injury at some time, probably via car. He followed me at a distance as I walked back to my car, and he then kept walking. I hurried home, just yards away, to get a leash. I found him again in the wooded path behind our complex and again he came toward me when I whistled stopping just short of my hand. It was then that I realized I forgot to bring food, which is the most important offering to have if you are trying to rescue an animal. Stupid, Tracey! I tried anyway, but as soon as he heard the slightest sound of the chain, he hurried off. Calling him again, I walked back toward home. He really wanted to trust me but just couldn't bring himself to and walked off in the other direction. Defeated I walked home. With each step I became angrier, because I forgot the food and it was obvious by his reaction to the leash that someone had mistreated him. I could smell the food from the various restaurants across the street and wondered what it must be like for him to inhale those lovely odors and not be able to get to any of it.
Back home I put on my muck boots, grabbed a can of Reuben's Wellness and a fork and headed back to the woods. If I can't get him, at least his belly will be filled. Whistling as I went along, I circled three times, but he was gone. Back home I made the decision to report him to animal control. At least he MAY have chance if they pick him up, but I realize it is unlikely, just as it is unlikely he will survive on his own.
I cannot tell you all how heartbroken I am this morning over this dog. And angry. Because of lack of responsibility and respect for God's creation, a sickly, injured, terrified dog is wandering around waiting to get hit by a car or starve to death. I hope the officer can find him before it is too late.
